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dizzy before bowel movement

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carl36762
carl36762

Hi All

I know this probably isnt the right place but may be related to anxiety.

For about 3 months I've been getting spells of dizziness and nausea. Not always before bowel movement but very often. After I have emptied my bowels the dizziness and nausea seems to subside after 10 mins or so.

I was thinking IBS but I can tolorate all kinds of food.

I went to my gp today for the dizziness (along with a few other symptoms) and I'm being checked out for autoimmune disease. Slightly different topic but bloods will be taken on Monday. 

What I want to know is, does anyone else have the dizzy/nauseous issue before bowel movement? It's very unnerving when it happens and I've had no answers so far

Thanks

9 likes, 114 replies

114 Replies

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  • sukiyaki
    sukiyaki carl36762

    Posted

    I have the same dilemma as yours, just this morning i had this bout of dizziness, as in nearly fainting spell. ive experience this twice already

     

    • teresa03041
      teresa03041 sukiyaki

      Posted

      Yes I've experienced that feeling of alnost fainting as well. When I get overly stressed at work and start feeling like this it usually indicates I'm close to having a panic attack. The panic attacks for me seem to be triggered by excessive heat (I am a hostess in a restaurant) and getting really upset or angry. The only saving grace is to go stand in the walk in freezer and breathe deeply and evenly. Within just 2-3 mins my symptoms will start to subside.

      It's so strange but it works for me. Even though I don't feel great at least I can carry on through my shift. Stupid as it sounds I've actually stuck my head in the freezer at home, although I'd never admit to that in a court of law! Goes to show how far we'll go to get relief regardless of the ridiculousness.

      Wishing you much luck!

      Teresa

  • daisy32012
    daisy32012 carl36762

    Edited

    Hello i have been having similar symptoms for 5 months. I know anxiety plays a big factor but anxiety can be caused by many things in the body not just stress. For example hyperthyroidism can cause anxiety as well as other symptons. I have gotten checked for everything blood work. xrays on my stomach, had my gallbladder removed, and now im waiting to see an endocrinologist to see if it can be anything like thyroid problems because i tested positive for hyperthyroidism once but then it came normal the second time there is also lots of auto immune diseases like crohns disease that can cause these things. Make sure you have gotten checked for EVERYTHING that can cause these symptons. Our health is very important im going on 5 months almost 6 ttyingtrying to figure out whats going on with me. And my symptoms started with anxiety, GI issues, dizziness to near fainting, cramping and diarrhea, extremely bloated, burping, chest pain, upper back pain.
  • Bensley1
    Bensley1 carl36762

    Edited

    Hello all,

    I have read many of your posts, and I really sympathize with you all. Of course it is best to get all concerns checked by your provider, but it sounds to me like many of the symptoms you are experiencing are anxiety realted or anxiety induced. Anxiety is a wicked thing! It comes in many forms- some physical, and some mental. One exacerbates the other- it is like a dreadful cycle. If you can get to the bottom of your anxieties- no shame in therapy- and solve whatever is worrying you, I bet many (if not all) of your physical symptoms will subside. Be gentle on yourself- treat yourself like a growing flower. Breathe deeply- make a conscious effort to lie down and listen to your breathing. Acknowledge your feelings- they are real- then let them go. Best of luck to all. Wendy.

     

  • spotham
    spotham carl36762

    Posted

    hi carl,

    i too have similar problem, i was diagnosied with IBS in 2006 since then i have been having digestion problem. My expired last month and since then i have started facing this problem. can any one advice how to get rid of this.

    thanks in advance

  • Fresia97
    Fresia97 carl36762

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

    i came onto the web looking for answers too. Thank you for sharing on here as it has helped me. I too have suffered these symptoms on and off for years, had test, etc done all good. It does get frustrating as it stops me in my tracks. But i read what bensley1 wrote and agree, have been meaning to do some deep breathing amd meditation. A good massage the other day helped to release some of the feelings that were stuck inside me. I will be following this post now, so will check in from time to time. I will try and put my progress updates on here for you, and it has given me hope as i hope it does to you too. That we can find a way to manage and conquer! Lol. Good luck everyone. F

  • Maureen2015
    Maureen2015 carl36762

    Edited

    I also feel dizzy, sometimes nauseous and my ears tingle before a bowel movement. It starts by my feeling light headed and about 10 minutes later I realise I need to go to the loo. My head also feels hot.

    I do suffer with ulcerative colitis but have been in remission for a few years. The light headedness started about five weeks ago. It is not anxiety or panic attacks - my life has been very humdrum for the last few weeks, no excitement or bad news etc

    Has anyone who has been to their doctor received a diagnosis or treatment?

    • kay01410
      kay01410 Maureen2015

      Posted

      Yep, this is my current issue, have found any reasons yet?
    • rima1223
      rima1223 Maureen2015

      Posted

      I have been to a GI Specialist for this problem. I have similar symptoms as u do. I start to feel lightheaded 1st and it feels like my blood pressure drops too then within 5 mind or so I have to go #2. Sometimes I get shaky to but not always. I usually feel better about 30 mins after I go to the bathroom. My GI Dr said it's most likely due to the Vagas nerve. Its more of an annoyance than it is dangerous cuz in some of the more sever cases ppl pass out and hit their head b4 a bowel movemovement or while pushing. I don't get dizzy every time I go but it happens often enough and I dread it. My General Dr's explanation is that when your body is getting ready to have a bowel movement all the blood rushes to your stomach and away from your head which causes the dizziness. Both Dr's make sense and said if it gets bad enough to tolerate they can implant a pacemaker. I'm not there yet and hope I never will be but I have to say it is comforting to know that I'm not suffering alone!

  • Snakebyte1
    Snakebyte1 carl36762

    Posted

    Like many others posting in response, I have had this condition for as long as I can remember. It seems to be quite common. We also lose electrolytes in the evacuation process, so its good to have something like Gatorade on hand to help recover faster. I had panic attacks for years, irritable bowel from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, etc. Yes... our bowels and emotions seem to have a strong relationship. But, as unsettling as it feels, as long as you aren't passing out, there probably isn't much to worry about.
  • karen62957
    karen62957 carl36762

    Posted

    I often feel dizzy and slightly nauseous around 2-4 a.m.  After I defecate several hours later I feel fine.  I also have a condition called sighing respirations in which I feel like I cannot fill my lungs completely when taking a deep breath.  If I focus on my breathing I get scared that I will not be able to get enough oxygen.
  • apollo47522
    apollo47522 carl36762

    Edited

    I have had the same symptoms highlighted here for almost 3 years, although this year has been the worst of all. I decided to google since of all the doctors I have consulted, none has so far been able to put a finger on what's going on. I must say its a relief to discover upon googling, that am not the only one undergoing the same, at some point I had thought I was all alone in this unexplainable suffering.

    I get all dizzy, nauseous, palpitate, hyperventilate some 10minutes prior, during and almost 30minutes after a BM. Done numerous blood tests of which all came out showing am ok. The worst bit is that you yourself know that you are not ok. It has really affected me at my workplace because at times it comes when am on duty and the alarming frequency of it has now put me on eggshells with my bosses. Am now actually looking at having my services "no longer required on medical grounds".

    I plan to do an OGD/Colonoscopy in a few days time just to check whether that may shed some light on this mystery.

    I hope we can all get a solution to this suffering.

    • Lroses
      Lroses apollo47522

      Edited

      I'm not a doctor, but I've been suffering with almost the same set of physical circumstances for years. If you look up Defecation Syncope, Vasovagal Syncope, and Pre-Syncope, you'll probably find that many of the symptoms are the same as most of what you're all experiencing. For some reason that I can't find the exact mechanism behind online, both having and having to HAVE a bowel movement triggers a vasovagal response in some people. Go us!

      Multiple times a month, I experience pre-syncope (meaning "you're probably about to faint") with light-headedness, dizziness, palpitations, very rapid heart beat, full-body cold sweating (drenching, even), feeling unusually warm, emotionally feeling as though something is very wrong, increased salivation, and sometimes nausea and tunnel vision before a bowel movement. It tends to happen more often when I'm about an hour and a half into sleep, and I wake up and descend into a panic and a bowel that needs to be emptied within a matter of minutes.

      Two things help relieve the symptoms. The first, which many of you have noted, is by passing the bowel movement. The second, which I came by through an obscure post one night, is by putting both legs and arms up into the air for at least five minutes. Usually I know when to stop because I can feel my heart rate and beat mostly return to normal, the sweating stops, the anxiety symptoms abate, the dizziness is mostly gone.

      Putting your arms and legs up usually helps because it flushes blood from your extremities back into your core. Thus, more blood is available to be pumped back into your brain. The temporary loss of blood supply to the head is what causes these yucky symptoms.

      I may look pretty stupid while laying on the ground with my arms and legs up, but the relief I feel when my heart gradually stops pummeling in my chest and I can get up and pass my BM without being dizzy and risk passing out is worth it.

      Tbh I haven't yet come across "a cure" for defecation syncope and pre-syncope, but hopefully the maneuver I described above can help at least a few people out.

      Take care!

    • kay01410
      kay01410 Lroses

      Posted

      Wow, this is so me!! I will try it next time, thanks for info!
    • michelle96301
      michelle96301 Lroses

      Posted

      Thank you for sharing! I just had this same issue 20 minutes ago. I will try your suggestion & read more into defecation syncope. Im glad to see im not the only one suffering with this. It does suck i was woken up by this. Now to have to force myself back to sleep.

    • wallisar
      wallisar Lroses

      Edited

      Thank you for this! I suffer from vasovagal syncope related fainting spells\ seizures and anxiety. I've fainted from drying my hair, drinking diet soda, drinking ice tea, hitting my funny bone, and most lately from a kidney stone. Recently, I have started to experience dizziness, nausea, shaking, accompanied by anxiety before bowel movements. I've never associated these feelings with my vasovagal syncope experiences before! I'm still somewhat at a loss of what to do about it all but I think I need to work on improving my diet and include probiotics and digestive enzymes. Well see if starting to try to cure my gut helps. Thank you!

    • sasical72
      sasical72 apollo47522

      Posted

      I know this is an old post but I have 100% exactly the same symptoms as you, even the same problems at work. Did you ever find the cause or solution? I desperately need help. Thanks x

    • sasical72
      sasical72 apollo47522

      Posted

      apollo I have the EXACT same symptoms as you, even the timing...10 minutes before, during and 30 mins after. Did you get any further with your investigations? thanks x

    • sasical72
      sasical72 Lroses

      Posted

      thank you for that information, I have the same symptoms as you, I have even been given bisoprolol for my heart as the palpitations were getting so bad I had to go to a&e loads of times. any more news on all this? much appreciated x

    • sasical72
      sasical72 apollo47522

      Posted

      Hello, I have the same symptoms word for word. Did you ever find out what your problem is? Thanks

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